Means for waving hair



Oct. 15, 1940. M MQCALLA 2,218,205

MEANS FOR WAVING HAIR Filed June 19, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HAzf-:L MAY McCALLA ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 15, 1940 NITED STATES T OFF 7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to an improved means for dressing hair and more specifically to means for producing waves in hair such as those known as linger waves, and by other names, the predominant object of the invention being to provide improved means for Waving hair that includes one or more electrically heated combs which serves in use to give vastly improved results in hair dressing.

In accordance with the method now followed, finger waves are produced in hair by professional beauty operators by first shampooing the patrons hair and then, while the hair is wet from the shampooing, applying a solution to the hair which is characterized by the ability to cause the hair to remain wet for a considerable length of time. The solution mentioned is comprised basically of either gum arabic or pulverized seeds, such as quince seeds, and the solution is saturated thoroughly through the hair, after which the hair is combed into position for waving.

In producing linger waves in hair so prepared for waving the first linger of the operators left hand holds the portion of the hair being waved firmly in place while a comb, held in the operators right hand at an approximate forty-live degree angle to the patrons head, is drawn downwardly to either the right or left, according to the desired direction of the wave being produced. Then the second linger of the operators left hand replaces the first finger and said rst linger takes the place of the comb which is raised from the hair. The operators first and second lingers are then pressed lirmly together to impress a crease in the portion of the hair between said lingers and this crease forms the'rst half of the wave. The second portion of the wave is then produced in like manner, the comb being drawn downward- 1y in the opposite direction. 'Ihis procedure is continued for as many waves as desired, the very wet solution holding the hair in the creases which produce the half waves, and the small strands of hair being rolled to produce curls when desired, and the curls being pinned to hold them in place. The next step in the operation is to arrange a hair net on the patrons head after which the patron is prepared for the dryer by placing cotton over her ears to prevent excess heat on the ears.

The dryer employed in waving hair in accordance with the method described above comprises an aluminium hood that lits over the patrons head, and heated air is circulated through this hood in contact with the waved hair for from thirty to ninety minutes, depending on the texture and thickness of the hair. The use of these dryers is very uncomfortable to the patrons, but in connection with the method of linger waving now followed they are absolutely indispensable, -and, also, the circulation of heated air in Contact with the hairis very drying and harsh upon the hair. Additionally, the use of the solution on the hair, as explained above, is harmful to the hair, as a dull coating of pulverized seed is left on the hair after the drying operation has removed the moisture from the hair.

In accordance with the use of the invention disclosed herein the use of the solution hereinbefore referred to is entirely eliminated, and also the need for an uncomfortable drying operation is dispensed with. In waving hair in accordance with the present invention the patrons hair is shampooed after which the hair is towel dryed, a small amount of moisture being permitted to remain in the hair after the towel drying operation. The hair is then ready for the waving operation without any solution being added thereto, this waving operation being performed in a manner to be hereinafter described. The waving of hair in accordance with this invention, including the shampooing and towel drying operations, consumes approximately thirty minutes, as compared with approximately thirty minutes for shampooing and waving the hairin accordance with the old method, and' from, thirty to ninety minutes required for the drying operation. 'Ihis saving of time i`s of the utmost importance as it permits an operator to handle many more patrons in a day, and additionally, the undesirable results from the use of the solution are elim.- inated and the discomforts and disadvantages incident to the use of the dryer are dispensed with. Furthermore, a great saving is realized by owners of beauty parlors because `of, the elimination of the necessity to buy and maintainra number of the rather expensive dryers and provide" space therefor.

Fig. l is a view illustrating the manner f using the improved hair waving means disclosed here- Fig. 2 is a plan viewv of the improved hair waving means of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the improved means 50 ing, parts of the improved means of the present invention with a part of the handle of the comb 'being broken away and showing the hair raising element of the invention associated therewith.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary end elevation of one of the combs of the improved means of the present invention illustrating one manner of using same when the hair raising element is associated therewith.

Fig. 8 is a modified form of the improved hair waving means of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section of an end portion of the comb shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-section of a modied form of the invention.

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1G.

In the drawings, wherein are shown fory the purpose of illustration, merely, several embodiments of the invention A designates in Figs. l, 2, and 3 the improved hair waving apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus A comprises a pair of combs I and 2 which resemble each other but are slightly diiferent in their details of construction. The comb I includes a body portion 3 which in cross-section is preferably of polygonal shape as shown in Fig. 3, from which are extended comb teeth 4, each of said teeth being of substantial width adjacent to the body portion 3 and tapering to a relatively narrow width at its outer end. The body portion 3 and teeth 4 of the comb I are made of metal or other suitable material which will conduct heat and the portions of the teeth adjacent to the body portion are made substantially wide so that heat will be properly conducted from the body portion I toward the outer ends of the teeth. If desired the outer ends of the teeth may be provided with tips 5 formed of heat insulating material to prevent the outer ends of the teeth from becoming so hot as to cause discomfort to the scalp of a person whose hair is being waved with the aid of the apparatus A. The comb I is provided with a handle 6 which is formed of a heat insulating material, said handle being of arcuate shape as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The comb I has formed in the body portion 3 thereof an opening 7 (Fig. 3) which extends longitudinally of said body portion, said opening being closed at one end of the body portion of the comb and open at the opposite end thereof. Arranged in the opening l of the body portion of the comb I is an electrical heating unit 8 of well known construction and arrangement, the electrical heatingunit 8 having conducting means 9 associated therewith which conducts electrical energy to the electrical heating unit from a suitable source of supply (not shown). The open end of the opening I is closed by a suitable cap I0 which is provided with an aperture through which theconducting means 9 extends.

The comb 2 is constructed generally in accordance with the construction of the comby I as thus far described;that is to say, the comb 2 is provided with a body portion I I preferably of polygonal cross-sectional shape in which an opening l2 is formed longitudinally thereof. Also the opening I2 houses. an electrical heating unit I3 to which electrical energy is conducted by .conducting means Il, and said conducting means extends through an aperture of a cap I5 that closes the open end of the opening I2. Likewise the comb 2 is` provided with teeth I6 extended from the bodyY portion l I ofthe comb which are shaped as described in .connection with the teeth of the comb I, and, if desired, the outer ends of the teeth I5 of the comb 2 may be provided with heat insulating tips I'I which serve the purpose of the tips 5 of the teeth of the comb I. Like the comb I, the comb 2, except for the tooth tips I'I, is formed of metal, or other suitable heat conducting material, and said comb 2 is provided with an arcuate handle I8 which is formed of a suitable heat insulating material.

Unlike the comb I, the comb 2 is provided at one end with a tapered curler tip I9 which is of polygonal shape in cross-section, said curler tip being formed of heat conducting material. The curler tip I9 has associated therewith a prong 22 which is pivoted at 2i to extension means 22 formed on the curler tip, said prong 2li having associated therewith a suitable spring 23 which serves to move the forward portion of the prong against the .curler tip in a manner to clamp and hold hair in contact with said curler tip which has been curled thereon. The prong 2B is provided with an angular extension 24 that provides a thumb piece for moving the forward portion of the prong away from the curler tip against the action of the spring 23, said extension being provided with suitable heat insulating means which permits the extension to be manipulated without danger of the operator being burned.

The combs I and 2 are connected together by means of resilient connectors 25 which are preferably located adjacent to opposite ends of the combs as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 2. As shown in the view mentioned, and in Fig. 3, each connector 25 preferably comprises a strip of material whose ends are secured together to provide an elongated loop, the opposite end portions of the elongated loop passing through rings 26 which provide attaching eyes. The attaching eyes 26 of the connectors 25A are engaged by hooks 21 that are suitably secured to the body portions of the combs I and 2, the attaching eyes at corresponding ends of the connectors being connected to hooks 2'I secured to the comb I and the attaching eyes at the opposite corresponding ends of the connectors being connected to hooks 21 secured to the comb 2. The connectors may be formed of any suitable resilient material; for instance they may be formed of lastex which is characterized by the ability to ,Y

stretch and return to an unstretched condition when the force that stretches it is removed.

In the use of the hair waving apparatus A' illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 thepatrons hair is shampooed and towel dried, the towel drying being discontinued when the hair is still damp from the shampooing and the hair then being preliminarily combed to prepare. it for the waving operation. The hair waving apparatus A is then brought-to its operative position with respect to the patrons head, asshown in Fig. 1, the teeth of the combs I and 2 being substantially parallel and extended at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees with respect to the perpendicular when the handles of thecombs I and 2 are alined with each other as shown in Fig. 3. The electrical energy flowing to the heating units il4 and I3 of the combs I and 2 will cause the heatconducting portions of the combs to be heated, and the comb 2 is applied to the-portion of the hair to be waved, just as would the first nger of an operators left hand when finger waves are made in accordance with the method formerly followed, to hold rmly the hairV to be waved. The teeth of the comb I are applied to the head.

GOv

of the patron and said comb I is drawn downwardly and to one or the opposite side, depending on the direction of the half wave being pro' hair which is dried in by the heat of the two comb.q

to produce the iirst half of the wave.

'Ihe apparatus A is then moved to cause the comb 2 to take the place of the comb I and the same procedure is followed, with the exception that the comb I is drawn downwardly in the opposite direction. The teeth of the heated combs are then again pressed together to crease and dry the portion of the hair operated on to produce the second half of the wave. This is continued until the desired number of waves have been placed inthe hair after which any curls desired will be produced with the aid of the curling tip I3 and the clamping prong 2li in an obvious manner well known to persons familiar with the art to which this invention relates. It is plain that when the comb is drawn downwardly and to one side with respect to the comb 2 in producing waves as explained above, the connectors 25 will stretch and will return to their normal unstretched condition when the pull on the comb I is discontinued.

As has been stated the purpose of the tips 5 and II at the outer ends of the teeth of the combs I andY 2 is to prevent the heated teeth from causing discomfort to the scalp of the patron. In this connection, if desired, the teeth of the combs I and 2 may be provided with apertures 28, as shown in Fig. 5, which will provide the outer end portions of the teeth with air gaps that will interere with transmission of heat to the extreme outer end portions of the teeth.

In some cases of special hair styling it is desired to wave an upper layer of hair over sleek, unwaved hair. This is done without pressing the combs against the scalp and is very diiiicult to achieve when the method of waving heretop fore employed is followed. In order to accomplish this type of waving the combs of the improved apparatus disclosed herein are provided each with the element 29 illustrated in Fig. 6. This element is formed of wire, or like material, arranged in elongated loop form, and the element is applied to the lower portions of the teeth of the comb so that it embraces the entire group of teeth at a point a slight distance inwardly of the outer ends of the teeth as shown in the view menetioned. The op-posite end portions of the element 29 are engaged by spring clips 3l! as shown in Figs. 6 and 9 so as to hold the element in place on the comb, said spring clips being suitably secured to the heavier end teeth of the comb.

In the use of the element 29 the upper layer of hair B to be waved is raised with the aid of the comb and the element 29 is introduced under the raised hair as shown in Fig. '7 and is applied to the teeth of the comb as described above. The hair above the element 29 may then be waved in the manner heretofore described with the aid of the improved apparatus A leaving the lower hair C sleek and unwaved. In following this method of waving both of the combs may be provided with elements 29, or, if desired, only the comb I may be provided with an element 29.

In Fig. 8 is illustrated a form of the invention where the combs I and 2 of the apparatus are connected together by connectors at opposite ends of the combs (only one end being shown) which are in the form of coil springs 25 attached to eyes 21 secured to the combs I and 2. This form of connector is preferred for Waving apparatus intended for home use whereby it is undesirable to detach the combs from each other. However,the type of connector 25 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 ispreferred in connection with waving apparatus intended for professional use so that the combs may be quickly and easily detached from each other for independent use of the combs.

In Figs. and l1 is illustrated a form of the invention Where an enlongated cavity 3l is provided Within the body portion 32 of a comb which serves as a fluid reservoir. The cavity is open at one end of the comb and closed at the opposite end, there being a screw plug 33 provided for sealing the open end of the cavity. Communicating with the cavity 3l is a plurality lof apertures 3l which are open at an outer surface of the body portion of the comb, and formed inwardly of the outer surface of the body portion of the comb is an elongated opening that receives an elongated plate 31%. The plate 36 is supported for sliding movement within the opening in which it is located, there being angular portions of said plate extended beyond the opposite ends of the body portion of the comb which may be pushed or pulled for sliding the plate longitudinally of 9 its opening, and which serve asA stops for the plate. The plate 34 has apertures 34 formed therethrough which are spaced in accordance with the spacing of the apertures 3l leading from the cavity 3l to an outer surface of the body portion of the comb. The plate may be shifted longitudinally of its opening to bring the apertures of said plate in register with the apertures 3|', or said plate may be shifted to position the apertures of the plate out of register with respect to the apertures 3l.

In the use of this form of the invention fluid may be introduced into the cavity 3l, and because said cavity is in close proximity to the electrical heating element 35 of the comb, the fluid may be generated into steam. When the hair of a patron is too dry or too tightly permanented the plate 34 may be shifted to bring the apertures 34' of the plate 34 into register withl the apertures 3l and thus permit steam to be discharged from the cavity 3l onto the hair of the patron.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for waving hair comprising a hair holding element, a comb comprising a body portion and teeth formed of heat-'conducting material, an electrical heating unit located within said body portion for heating the comb, and connecting means extensible as to length for connecting said hairfholding element and said comb together for relative movement from each other and relative movement sidewise with respect to each other.

2. An apparatus for waving hair comprising a pair of combs each of which includes a body portion and teeth formed of heat-conducting material, an electrical heating unit located within the body portion of each of said combs for heating the comb, and connecting means for connecting said combs together, said connecting means being extensible as to length'and flexible so as to permit onev of said combs to be moved away from the other comband to permit said one of said combs to be moved sidewise relative to said other comb'while the combs are connected bysaid connecting means.

3. An apparatus for Waving hair comprising a pair of combs each of which includes a body porr tion and teeth formed of heat-conducting material, an electrical heating unit located within the body portion of each of said' combs for heating the comb, connecting means for connecting said combs together, said connecting means being extensible as to length and` flexible so as to permit one of said combs to be moved away from the other vcomb and to permit said one of said combs tobe moved sidewise relative to said other comb While the combs are connected by said connecting means, and'a handle associated with each of saidv combs which is extended at an angle to the axes of the teeth of the comb.

4; An apparatus for waving hair comprising a pair of combs each of which includes a body portion and teeth formed of heat-conducting material, an electrical heating unit located Within the bodyv portion of each of said combs for heating the comb, connecting means for connecting said combs together, said connecting means being eX- tensible as to length and flexible so as to permit one of said combs to be moved away from the other comb and to permit said one of said combs to be moved sidewise relative to said other comb While the combs are connected by said connecting means, and means for attaching said connecting means to said combs, said attaching meansbeing of such character as to permit ready detachment of the connecting means from the combs Without the'aid of tools.

5. A comb adapted for use in dressing hair,

comprising abody portion and teeth which'are formed of heat-conducting material, an electrical heating element associated with said comb for heating the teeth thereof, and means for preventing heating of the outer end portions of said teeth of the comb, said means comprising tips formed of heat-insulating material which are supported directly by the teeth of the comb at the outer end portions thereof and constitute the outer end portions of said teeth.

6. A comb adapted for use in dressing hair, comprising a body portion and teeth Which are formed of heat-conducting material, an electrical heating element supported by said body portion of said comb for heating the teeth thereof, and means for preventing heating of the outer end portions of said teeth of the comb, said means comprising tips formed of heat-insulating material which are supported directly by the teeth of the comb at the outer end portions thereof and constitute the outer end portions of said teeth.

'7. A comb adapted for use in dressing hair, comprising a body portion and teeth which are formed of heat-conducting material, said body portion of the comb having an opening formed therein, an electrical heating element extended into said opening of the body portion of the comb for heating the teeth of the comb, and means for preventing heating Lof the outer end portions of said teeth of said comb, said means comprising tips formed of heat-insulating material which are supported directly by the teeth of the comb at the outer end portions thereof and constitute the outer end portions of said teeth.

HAZEL MAY MCGALLA. 

